Child porn suspect convicted, baby abuser sentenced in Scott

GATE CITY — A man who possessed hundreds of images of child porn was found guilty this week in Scott County Court, while a woman who severely beat her infant and fractured its skull was sentenced to prison.

Weber City resident Summer S. Stallard, 21, was originally indicted in May of last year, then later pleaded guilty to five counts related to the abuse and neglect of her 2-month-old. On Thursday, Scott County Circuit Court Judge Jeff Hamilton sentenced her to 20 years in prison with 16 suspended. The effective four-year active sentence will be followed by five years of probation and no contact with the victim.

The child suffered a fractured skull, 23 broken ribs, a subdural hematoma and other injuries typical of Shaken Baby Syndrome. The injuries were reportedly inflicted by Stallard over multiple occasions.

Scott County Commonwealth’s Attorney Marcus F. McClung says that although Stallard has no previous criminal record, she still could have served up to 40 years behind bars.

“During the sentencing hearing, the Court understood and agreed with our evidence; however, (it) did not feel the way we did about the punishment,” said McClung.

The victim is in foster care, while Stallard’s husband, Luke Stallard, is scheduled for sentencing next week on charges of neglect. He reportedly knew of the abuse but did not report it.

“With all the passion and with tears at certain points we requested justice for our young victim and asked for the defendant to serve an active prison sentence of a minimum of 20 years in prison,” states a press release from McClung’s office. “We did not want any of that sentence to be suspended. However, the Court did not feel the same way after considering all the evidence and we are heartbroken by the decision.”

In an unrelated case heard on Monday, a Nickelsville man was found guilty on 10 counts related to child pornography. Christopher Duane Cordle, 34, was then sentenced to 12 years in prison.

According to Scott County Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Dan Fellhauer, the case originated with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Investigations in Vancouver, Canada. Canadian authorities reported that an email address originating in the United States had received child exploitative material. Further investigation identified the Internet service provider as being in Scott County.

A press release adds: “After a lengthy investigation, HSI, in conjunction with the Scott County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office & Sheriff’s Office, was able to locate and seize Cordle’s computer at Cordle Auto Body Shop (2786 Little Duck Road, Nickelsville, Va.) and access the e-mail history and fake social media accounts he operated under the aliases ‘Steven Rollings’ and ‘bodyman1983.’ ”

Cordle was ultimately found to possess more than 200 child porn images and several videos. Cordle reportedly emailed the videos — which appeared to be foreign-made — to “several individuals.”

“When these types of photos and videos are made, these children are sexually violated and assaulted, then they are repeatedly re-victimized through the online viewing and trading of their images,” said Fellhauer. “This is the first opportunity we’ve had to work a case with Homeland Security, and we want thank them for doing a great job. We will continue to work diligently with all of our law enforcement partners to combat child pornography and any other crimes that exploit children.”

Anyone contacted by Cordle, or solicited on social media or networking apps under his aliases, is asked to call the Scott County Sheriff’s Office.